Zinc and selenium mitigated heavy metals mixture (Pb, Al, Hg and Mn) mediated hepatic-nephropathy via modulation of oxido-inflammatory status and NF‑kB signaling in female albino rats

This study evaluated the protective role o of zinc and selenium on heavy metal mixture (HMM) induced hepatic-nephropathy. Twenty-five female Wistar albino rats were weight-matched and divided into five groups of five female rats each. Group 1(control) received deionized water only. Group 2 received heavy metal mixture HMM (20 mg·kg−1 of Pb, 0.40 mg·kg−1 of Hg, 0.56 mg·kg−1 of Mn and 35 mg·kg−1 of Al). Groups 3, 4 and 5 were co-administered with metal mixtures and Zn, Se and Zn + Se respectively. Treatments were through oral gavage for 60 days; animals were sacrificed under pentobarbital and liver and kidney harvested for tests. Zn, Se and Zn + Se reduced metal accumulation in the liver and kidney. HMM exposure caused non-significant increase in AST, ALP, ALT and TP, but significant increase in IL-6 and TNF –α, Nf-kB, Hmox-1, Nfr2, MDA and NO when compared to the control. Essential trace elements significantly decreased IL-6 and TNF –α, Nf-kB, Hmox-1and Nfr2 in comparison to HMM only group. Treatment with Zn, Se and Zn + Se significantly reversed the HHM mediated decreased SOD levels. HMM triggered degenerative changes in the central vein, showed vacuolations with connective tissues fragmentation and lymphocytes infiltration were reversed by essential trace elements. Essential trace elements supplementation is protective against HMM mediated hepato-renal impairment.